Wright on target

Monday, September 28, 1998

Wright on target

PLAYMAKER: All-American sophomore looks to rebound after disappointing first year

By Steve Kim

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Being named an All-American is a major honor, especially as a freshman.

But how, in the sport of water polo, are All-Americans decided?

"I have no clue," sophomore Adam Wright said of the honor which he received last year. "Maybe it's the coaches who vote on that, but I'm not sure. I was just happy to be one."

Such nonchalance. There's a "whatever" kind of attitude to him - laid back and easygoing.

But that's surely not how this Seal Beach native won his accolades in the sport he loves so much.

The truth is, Wright devotes a lot of energy and intensity to water polo. He's a different person in the water, quick and alert. He displays a lasting sharpness throughout the game. Perhaps that's why he's so "whatever-ish" out of the water - he's just too spent from all that focusing in the water.

But, whatever, on with his water polo.

Wright admits that, like many of his teammates, he's a different person in the pool.

"I'm competitive when it comes down to sports," he said. "I butt heads with a lot of people."

His competitive spirit has done a lot of good for him. For one, he's a starting playmaker for the UCLA team. He also practices with the senior national team when not competing during the collegiate season.

Head coach Guy Baker finds him a valuable asset.

"Adam should have a really good season this year," Baker said. "We're going to count on him to direct a lot of our offense and defense."

His teammates describe him as a versatile player who has an innate knowledge of the way he and others play.

"Adam's a smart, aggressive player," senior attacker Sam Grayeli said. "He understands the game well and can play basically any position."

Wright constantly looks around during game situations to see what's going on in every position, to seek an opportunity to "create," as water polo players put it.

"Personally, I think he's the most fun person to play with in the water," said senior defender Eric Helfer.

"Even though he's a sophomore, he has a lot of experience under his belt. He carries himself as (if) he was a lot older.

"He hates losing more than anything," Helfer said. "He expects a lot out of his teammates, as we do of him. That kind of thinking makes us a better team."

Wright started playing water polo in junior high. It was in his high school years, under the 1996 Olympics coach Ricardo Azevedo of Long Beach High, when he showed a knack for the game.

As a member of the U.S. junior national team, Wright got a taste of major victory as his team became Junior Olympics champions. His high school team won the 1994 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division I championship, and Wright went on to add more honors as the 1995 CIF Division I player of the year.

Wright has always seemed to be part of a winning team; it was no different when he entered UCLA in the fall of 1996, when the Bruins earned the NCAA championship. But with so many returning members on that team, including his older brother Randy, Wright redshirted his freshman year while honing his skills for the following season.

The 1997 campaign wasn't meant to be for Wright and the rest of the Bruins, however, as they dropped out of championship contention. The All-American individual honor provided some sweet compensation for an otherwise bitter season.

After last year's dry spell, Wright's desire to win burns hotter. He has three more years of eligibility at UCLA, and he expects the same number of successful years. And he believes it's all within the team's reach.

"I was definitely disappointed with the season last year," he said. "But everyone knows we can do it this year. I would love to win the NCAA championship here, more than once."

And suddenly, he who was once this laid-back, if not passive sort of guy isn't so nonchalant anymore.

CHARLES KUO

All-American sophomore Adam Wright wants to help the men's water polo team recapture the NCAA title.

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